Välinge expands Wood Powder production

[Viken, Sweden] Välinge, based here, announced it is expanding and upgrading its Wood Powder production line due to increased demand for the innovative technology.

Välinge Wood Powder utilizes mixed recycled microfibers of pigmented wood and melamine to create a combined decorative/wear-resistance layer on top of high-density fiberboard (HDF) in place of laminated impregnated paper and overlays. The process can produce stone and wood visuals as well as custom designs and digital prints.

The upgrades to Välinge’s production line, scheduled for completion by February, include a scattering machine that will also utilize wood powder to produce stabilizing backers on the bottom of core boards in place of paper. The upgrades allow Välinge to manufacture wood powder products exclusively until licensee’s can incorporate the technology into their own production lines, according to Niclas Håkansson, CEO, Välinge.

Germany-based MeisterWorke launched Nadura, a laminate floor line featuring Välinge’s Wood Powder technology, at Domotex Hannover last year and earned both the show’s Innovation and Visitor Favorite awards.

"With the increased interest for Nadura products that we have seen, especially after MeisterWerke’s launch, our intention is to offer limited product series and volumes for market introductions by our licensees,” said Håkansson. “We expected this increase of interest in Nadura products and therefore we started to plan this upgrade last year. We are also in discussions with several companies interested in launching their own product range on the market initially produced by Välinge.”